Is this €1,400,000 horse too big at 16/1 for the Triumph? Nicky Henderson thinks so

Willie Mullins has had a stranglehold on the Triumph Hurdle in recent years, winning four of the last five renewals. Nicky Henderson could challenge the status quo this year however, as he has two strong candidates for the Grade 1 event. One is ante-post favourite and the other is 16/1 and Henderson has recently suggested that there’s less between them than the prices suggest. Check out our Cheltenham Festival page, where you can find our ante-post selections live on our site now.

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‘Those who liked it liked it a lot’

Palladium has the distinction of being the most expensive National Hunt horse of all time, after costing a whopping €1,400,000. The German Derby winner remains an entire and Royal Ascot will be the aim further down the line.

He made his debut over hurdles at Huntingdon last month and managed to get the job done with a workman-like display. Henderson was much more encouraged by the performance than many and he’s expecting improvement at Cheltenham.

The trainer said: “You could look at his win at Huntingdon two different ways, but those who liked it liked it a lot, and we were perfectly happy because it means he goes to the Triumph under the radar. He was ready to do what he had to do, but he was hardly wound up for it and did it very well, despite getting a bit lonely in front. I was very pleased with his jumping as well.”

‘They aren’t that far apart in ability’

When discussing his other potential runner, Lulamba, in relation to Palladium, Henderson added: “Punting-wise, I haven’t had a bet at Cheltenham for about 30 years and I’m not about to start, but with him at 7-4 and Palladium at 16-1, I’d have to say they aren’t that far apart in ability – quite probably one’s too short and one’s too long.”

Palladium

Analysis

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